What a great experience tonight at purple olive. This restaurant is up the street from where we live but I have never given it a chance. It's in a strip mall and just didn't look that appealing... Boy was I wrong. My wife and I ordered entrées and they brought out a salad that was fresh and just the right size. She ended up ordering the chef special which was triggerfish that was pecan encrusted with an orange buerre blanc and fresh green beans it was amazing! I had the chicken Parmesan which came with a side of pasta and string beans and it was fantastic! For dessert we had Keylime pie - that most definitely was homemade. Service was good - very efficient but not amazing. It seem like the waitress was focused in on regular customers which was fine... Hopefully will be those people as time goes on. We love this place and I think you will too. Well worth checking out if your on the island. read more

Pretty dissatisfied and disappointed. Ordered the fresh catch snapper ( my favorite) blackened. Well this is overdone! Dry and you are supposed to get a sauce... nope! I even took her recommendation and then they didn't deliver any sauce. So now I have an overcooked piece of fish that is dry and no sauce. And the vegetables are Asian not grilled!!!Furious read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - Fresh Catch Grilled Vegetables - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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Went on Valeentines day was not crowded as it was late in evening. I enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Price was also good. I had the fish and hobby had the beef. I would recommend the place read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - Late dinner so empty but food was great I highly recommend this place - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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Although parking can be difficult, the food is completely worth it. They have a gluten free menu for anyone who needs one and the food was delicious. I was very impressed with their commitment to cleanliness/ sanitizing of menus. After each table used them, they were fully wiped down before anyone else used them. I had the filet and mashed potatoes which were delicious and cooked perfectly. Our server was attentive and kind. We look forward to going back! read more

Since being in St Augustine I haven't gotten to get a taste of the foodie scene much! So tonight I decided to take my son to dinner before we went to we the lights downtown. I searched yelp and saw this place because the name stood out tremendously! It is extremely creative in itself! We arrived to a strip mall parking lot and noticed the sign and I instantly thought it was closed, only because the windows were dark and the sign was a bit miss leasing. We went inside and were immediately seated... I immediately noticed there were no booths :( Oh well.... we get seated and the menu was pretty straight forward, I could see this place was a regular spot for locals in the area... GREAT! I loved that they had a sirloin option ok the kids menu! No fries though :( I had the shrimp and artichoke pasta, The sauce was a bit runny and the shrimp still had tails attached but all in all the plate was good. We ordered the stuffed egg plant as an appetizer and i will say I didn't have much flavor :( But I was very satisfied with service and the entire experience in itself. This place reminds me of a Resturant you would see in Ashland Oregon or Medford. The vibe and feel of the employees etc.... it made me happy :) I also noticed the options to order "half" bottles of wine, which is a cool idea! I don't see that many places. All and all it's a cool spot! I will be returning! read more

Unbelievable!! Amazing!! Don't let the building fool you. I was thinking should we really go in? Thank goodness we did. The service by Jill was over the top. She's wonderful and provided a great service. Good- great. Crab bisque, scallops, grouper.. I could go on. Everything was top notch. Hidden gem. read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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This was such a delightful dinner while we were on vacation. Every member of the staff we had an interaction with were friendly and really attentive. We were early for our reservation and they were very communicative and sat us as quickly as possible. Their food was great and our entire party enjoyed their meal. I would definitely come back and happily eat another meal. read more

Once again location location location, perfect if your staying next door at the RV RESORT, Ocean Grove. Just walk on over, don't drive parking is tight. Four of us went here on 9.26.19 with no reservation, No problem. They were clearly short staffed when it came to waiters/servers. The two main dishes that I believe WITHOUT a doubt that would have been outstanding if they had come out of the kitchen ON time were the Lollipop Lamb chops and the Blackened Scallops. They both came out on very hot plates but the food was not even warm. If they had more servers maybe our food would have come out promptly, hot and flavorful. Otherwise, the place is small, quaint and clean. They have a large menu and offer wines and beers. I would definitely be returning once I confirm they are full staffed. read more

Spent a week visiting St. Augustine. This was the only restaurant that didn't disappoint. Amazing food, fantastic service, and wonderful gluten free options. We will be back the next time we're in town. read more

we've eaten in the restaurant three times over the last 6 months, each meal better than the last. i do have two minor criticisms, the specials are not accompanied by a price, $40 or so for a special when most mains are mid 20s was an expensive surprise. also, oddly, the short ribs which were great during the pandemic were too salty in the restaurant. still, we continue to love this restaurant and it will be in our rotation when in town. read more

Our favorite place in St Augustine. Everything we've tried is good, but their award-winning chocolate dessert is divine!

My first check in since relocated, have to say, very surprising considering the location (in plaza lot next to Hurricane Wings) food and service was impeccable. It is obvious the chef puts much care and attention to each dish as our food from appetizer to dinner, and ending with what he is known for his award winning desert. Great experience. Moderately priced, beer and wine, great for groups or a romance for couples read more

My wife and I tried this restaurant for the first time this evening and we had a good experience, despite having to wait 40 minuets for a table. The restaurant really got slammed this evening, and our server Michelle wasn't sure why, but I think the great food was a contributing factor to how busy they were. We each started with a wine and a beer, and as our appetizer a cup of Lobster Bisque and it was delicious,but not piping hot the way we like it, but very good none the less. For my entree I had an Asian Salad with nice piece of Grilled Salmon and it was outstanding! My wife had a Thai Seafood dish with Shrimp and she thought it was great! I rated this restaurant a 4 because they don't have a bar, and they only serve wine and beer. Also we ended up having to wait outside for our table, and that would have been challenging if we had inclement weather. read more

We're back. Love this place. Come here every time we're in the area. Catch the early bird specials. I'm having the seafood marinara, always to perfection. My wife is having her favorite, salmon Florentine. We both are starting off with a cup of their very good lobster bisque. This is one of your best bets at St Augustine Beach. read more

Found this restaurant by chance and made a reservation. We were really pleased. The staff and owner were extremely nice and attentive. The food was excellent. Had a shrimp/pasta dish which was wonderful and full of shrimp. Also had the mahi special and the sauce on it was to die for. The gateau for dessert made in-house was beyond words. My advice...skip the local tourist joints and have yourself an excellent dinner here. read more

The filet mignon was cooked to perfection, and the potato and vidalia onion gratin was one of the best side dishes I've ever eaten. The only downside was the brandy peppercorn sauce was disappointing. Flavor was lacking. Overpowered by the cream. Service, as always, was great. read more

Great food!!! Hidden gem on the Island. If you get a chance give it a try! Service was phenomenal as well.

Ordered two apps and one entree between two people. Mentioned to the waiter my girlfriend would be having mostly apps and finish my steak if I had any left. This was a big mistake to mention as he say "we have to hit you with the split plate fee" I'm thinking no big deal as what's another few dollars on a nice meal. They proceed to bring out the steak on two separate 3 ounce portioned plates with every side cut in half. All because I said my girlfriend might try a bite of my steak after she has her two apps. read more

Great food when it's not messed up, ordered the spicy curry (I love spicy food) unless you want satan to rip through your asshole DONT EAT! Crazy spicy. Literally all 4 people couldn't stand even one bite. Also ordered a steak medium well and that bitch came mooing, very close to rare. Overall they have great food! But tonight really disappointed. read more

Omggggggggg! Looked this hidden gem up before vacation and was not disappointed. Full gluten free menu- the blackened ahi tuna app was ah-mazing!!!!! Excellent service and totally worth it. The party I was with was extremely satisfied and even wanted to thank the chef! read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - Chocolate pecan gateau- so yummy and gf!!! - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

I had driven by this restaurant in a rather nondescript parking lot several times, and I finally stopped by. Don't let the obscure location fool you: much delicious-ness resides here. The restaurant is somewhat small but with a comfortable interior. Service was friendly and timely. The Tuscan bean soup was fantastic. I had the grilled special, which was grouper, with the garlic lemon butter sauce, which was also perfectly cooked and delectable. The accompanying spinach was perhaps a bit underseasoned, but my blood pressure didn't mind the lack of salt. I didn't try dessert, but they had a few selections, in addition to a decent but not extensive wine by the glass menu. This is a tasty little gem. read more

Strip Mall Gem brings you to CHOW - Gasm!! Unexpected taste explosion in this dark lavendar den of dining delights! I met dear old friends to experience what was to be Chef Kenney's most lively entree-offering that evening. Rob, the headwaiter (who bears a striking resemblance to Office Space's Ron Livingston), spoke knowledgeably on each dish and could simultaneously steer those with severe nut allergies through the menu. The appetizer olives & cheese are the signature app - the olives are UNgodly flavorful and meaty. Baked brie in a flaky golden crust was a heavenly mellow follow-up. The three of us shared the sesame seared scallops on a heavenly bed of jasmine rice. The crusted pork loin with accompanying mashed potatoes was a wonderful hearty pairing, and the salmon had a tangy wonderful mango rum butter served atop vegetables and the jasmine rice. Owner and Dining Manager Deidre Kinney points out that Purple Olive's menu reflects the values of local-grown produce and the slow food movement gaining momentum in eco-gastronomic circles. Our wine of choice was the Red Guitar from Navarro Spain.Full bodied and bright and flavorful - I loved this red which went with the flow of the food from fish to pork to pizza effortlessly. The conversation, company and culinary delights made for an extraordinary evening all the way around. An exceptional dining experience that stands out in my mind as thoughtful, complex and well-executed. Bring good friends or dates here; they will leave impressed with your taste in good food. read more

My wife and I found the Purple Olive while traveling in the area. We visited on a Sat. night when it was fairly busy but wait for a table wasn't long. First of all, the food was excellent. Creative dishes excellently prepared with fresh ingredients. I had the special of pan fried grouper with mashed potatoes and spinach. My wife had the shrimp with a lemon garlic sauce. We both had the lobster bisque. All were great. Service with the crowd was a problem. Their processes for handling busy times isn't very good and mistakes get made. When our entrees were brought to the table, I was given someone else's order. I didn't realize it until taking a bite. Then another waitress realized there was an error and came over and took away the dish without asking what I wanted to do. My wife then had to eat her meal alone while I waited for my order. They did comp my entree as apology. read more

First time I have ever given a 5 star to any restaurant. They got 5 stars from me because my overall experience was excellent, This includes the appearance, the food, the taste, service and pricing. You can spend a lot here so you may want to use some restraint when ordering. The food was awesome. It was not over seasoned or outlandish. Just good fresh food and vegetables cooked right. Everything was prepared perfectly and the bathrooms were nice and clean. This is a great place to try something you don't normally order. I ordered the duck, it was very good. If you get there before 6:30 you can order a choice of very reasonably priced early bird specials. I would definately go again, it is worth going a bit out of your way to stop by They do recommend you call ahead for seating. If possible try to get seated on the left side away from the smoky kitchen. I highly recommend you save room for dessert! read more

I came here with my boyfriend last weekend and enjoyed a wonderful and relaxed dinner. He ordered the macadamia encrusted salmon with diced mango on top, while I ordered the Hearts of Palm salad with a side order of grilled veggies. Both meals were perfectly portioned and were very filling. I loved the herbed goat cheese on my salad; it added the perfect amount of flavor. The inside of the restaurant is decorated very nicely with bright and colorful paintings and various objects of art. The theme of purple runs throughout. It was a cute and friendly restaurant which I would not hesitate to try again. The osso bucco special was calling my name, and had I been more decisive I would have ordered that. No regrets with my own salad, however. The chocolate ganache flambe was fun and exciting and tasted lovely. Nice romantic dining experience- a nice change of pace from the rushed and gimmicky dining options for tourists in the old downtown. read more

I'm a local, and this is where we take out of town friends who we really like. The food is consistently good, hard to say about a lot of restaurants. Ignore the guy down the list Joseph L., he tried to make reservations on Valentine's day, and they don't take reservations any time, though they do have a priority call ahead list. let's start with dessert first shall we? Their chocolate ganache cake is their signature dish. pecan crust is awesome and could be a dessert itself. It's a huge slice so share it or be prepared to take it home, I always do. The creme brulee has an orange kick to it and is the best in town. Key lime pie, is well, key lime pie, same as the one I make at home so i don't get it here. I think it can be kicked up a notch and would love to discuss it with chef Peter over an Affligem. By the way, Affligem is my favorite Belgian beer and is hard to find. they serve it here and it complements most of their food quite well. Good selection of wines with reasonable prices. Staff....well i thought they had too many people on hand, which meant we got excellent service. We never wanted for water, a check, or anything. We got their for the early bird seating (great food at great prices - a favorite secret with the locals) Food! Appetizers: Wife had salad with the creamy romano dressing which i hafe to say is one of the best dressings I've ever had. I had the lobster bisque which has a strong sherry flavor - might be too strong for some, but I love it that way so it was perfect for me. Nice sized bits of lobster in there too. Mains: Wife had the veal marsala, which was very good. I had the port wine and gorgonzola chicken, which was very good too. I especially liked that they char grill the chicken, so when I got a bite of that with the sweetness of the port wine reduction and a bite of the zesty/salty gorgonzola, I had one of those umami moments where everything just sang on my tastebuds. Awesome! Dinner for two with an Affligem and two desserts was about $40. Atmosphere: I would decorate the ceiling tiles somehow. It is in a strip mall, but the tables are well spaced, and again during the early bird dining, it was a nice quiet dinner. read more

I heard great things about the Purple Olive from some co-workers, and of course it's #7 out of 262 St Augustine restaurants on Trip Advisor, so I figured it was worth the drive from Jax to check it out. Date night! When we arrived, the main dining room had just filled up. It would have only been a 10-15 minute wait but we opted for a table now (to get to the good stuff!). Probably should have waited: the view of the kitchen isn't very pleasing (not a 'chef's table' kind of view). So I think by that choice we lost some of the ambiance of the place. I hope the owners can improve that side of the house soon. I do belive Deidre was our waitress (server? what's the proper term these days?) . The service was good, and maybe she was filling in on a short handed night, but there were a few lapses that I was surprised about. The prices at the Purple Olive are very reasonable, and the food tastes great, but I was expecting a high end experience from the reviews I've read. The server should know the menu, or at least have notes to answer any questions. An easy one like 'what cheeses are on the cheese plate' should not elicit an 'I'll check'. Moving on, we had heard about their incredible crab bisque, and so had to order that. It was very good, with some nice pieces of crab, and not even a hint of a crabby/fishy taste. Nice smooth flavor throughout, with a nice pepper kick also. While we prefer a cream based crab 'bisque' (which is not technically a bisque, I know), the Purple Olive's crab bisque is the best true crab bisque we've had! For entrees my wife ordered a Chef's Grill filet with the Brandy Peppercorn sauce, medium rare. It came out on the well done side of medium, and Deidre handled it well and quickly and we got one done medium rare. It was a great filet and didn't need the peppercorn sauce to be excellent. The sauce had nice flavors, but was more the consistency of a gravy. I had the duck (I always get the duck where-ever I go, but it has to be compared to the wild duck I grew up on with Mom's cooking, so I have yet to find a resturant duck that is as good as wild duck). The duck was nicely roasted, a perfect medium rare, with a good crust on the skin (and it had a nice layer of fat, so the meat was moist and tender) . The port wine mushroom sauce was rich and smooth and wonderful. Overall it was a great duck, one of the best I've had (outside Mom's kitchen of course) I can't remember the name of the dessert we had, but it was something chocolate with a crushed nut crust, and was very good. I don't think you could go wrong with any of their locally made desserts. So overall I give it 4 stars: really good food, at really great prices, but not into the Great category overall. No twists or interesting combinations. They cook traditional food very well. If we are in St Augustine again, we would probably eat there if we didn't have another new place picked out to try, but I don't think we'll be driving an hour from Jax just to eat there again. If you are in St Augustine, give the Purple Olive a try, and I know you won't be disappointed. read more

We really like this place. Very unpretentious but delivers a great range of creative dishes. I had the eggplant parmesian and would order it again after I try everything else. Chef Peter has a flair using plantains and black beans, as I found by tasting my wife's dish. The dishes are not the normal tried and true that you see everywhere. Wine list is very good. Nice range in varieties as well as price. Diedre runs the front. The service is spot on and smiling. We'll go back. read more

Holy crap, this place is AMAZING. I mean, we were looking forward to this ever since we read the reviews, but we were still blown away by the deliciousness. My fiancée had the lamb and proclaimed it "Yummer-ific," which is, I'm sure you know, a highly technical terms for well-prepared meat. I had the Blue Corn Crusted Tofu with molé sauce and it was astounding. We also had an awesome baked brie appetizer and this dessert they set on FIRE. Fire, people! Oh, and the bread n' salad that came with the meal were nice, too. We had a great meal, and will definitely be coming back. You should do the same. read more

A friend suggested The Purple Olive for dinner while visiting St. Augustine, and overall I was impressed. It is in a small strip mall and with a bar and two other busy restaurants in the same shopping center, the parking lot was overflowing and we had to park on the grass next to a vacant building. By the time we left, the restaurant itself was also packed. Not that I am complaining, but be advised if you go on a busy night what to expect and perhaps try to arrive earlier in the evening. The food was very good. I ordered a chicken Thai curry which wasn't true to actual Thai curries but was Thai-inspired and pretty good for what it was--my main complaint was that when I asked the waiter how spicy it would be, he said "mild" and I asked them to make it very hot and they really didn't. That said, it was fresh and tasty though lacking in some of the aspects that would mark it as "Thai", such as galangal and kaffir lime peel, plus the chicken was slightly overdone. Most of the other dishes on the menu were more complex and more expensive: duck, lamb, steak, and a variety of seafood. My friend ordered their macadamia-encrusted salmon which seems very popular and loved it. I would give the food five stars based on his salmon and how other items looked when I saw them being served to other customers. Obviously, the chef is aiming for a fine-dining experience in a casual setting, which is really cool. That approach reminds me of the Bistro Savannah (in Savannah, Georgia) which, oddly enough, also has a Thai chicken dish alongside its seafood fare. For The Purple Olive, my only suggestion is that the chef may wish to go to a couple first-rate Thai restaurants and study up on Thai curries so that he can better his own recipe. I have the feeling the curry is not up to par with the rest of the menu, honestly. We didn't have dessert, though my friend has been there before and ordered dessert and claims the desserts are also exceptional. The service was alright, but not as attentive as you'd expect for this type of restaurant, though as busy as it became in the course of the evening, I am unsurprised the waitstaff was not able to be as personal and attentive as perhaps one would expect. (In example, when I told the waiter I wanted the curry very spicy he offered to get some extra hot sauce which I could add to it, but he only showed up with this sauce about half-way through my eating the curry so it was pretty much a moot point then.) Overall, St. Augustine is very fortunate to have this caliber of restaurant located near the beaches and presenting such an innovative menu. I would recommend it to anyone, though I do think the curry (and perhaps other menu items I have not tried, who knows) could use improvement. The irony is, once you bring your game to this high a level, even small issues will stand out, but props out to The Purple Olive for having such a high level in the first place. read more

Went to Purple Olive for the first time the day before Valentine's, 2010. As stated in the previous reviews, this place is wonderful. The food, which is admittedly put out by a young Chef will no "formal" training is amazing, particularly when compaired to other Chefs in the area WITH formal training. He doesn't give them a run for the money. He walks all over the vast majority of them. In fact, the restaurant was recommended by Chef and owner of Cafe Atlantico; IMHO, one of the most tallented Chefs in St. Augustine. If Purple Olive has a weekness, it is the decor. It isn't bad, but it doesn't match the food or pricing. That said, Purple Olive is HIGHLY recommended. I was very impressed. read more

Wow! What more can I say. We have driven by this place before but tonight we got into town late and decided to try it. Outstanding on every count! Our server, Andrea, was talented and charming and the food was stellar. Trigger fish? Are you kidding me? I have never see it on a menu outside the Keys and it was cooked perfectly. More impressive was that my vegetarian daughter had the best tofu dish she has ever had, the Sesame Tofu. It was good enough that I had thirds. We eat out a lot and are at least semi foodies. This place is now in our top 5 meals anywhere. And in a small strip mall on the beach in St. Aug? Crazy! read more

After reading the reviews and planning a special anniversary here more than 3 months ago making sure every detail was exactly right even planning a menu and flowers for the table. The closer it got to the visit the more of a tourist I became for Purple Olive. I communicated several times with the owners so as to insure that this would be a great evening. And like I said the closer it came to the date the more of a tourist we became. I understand that many tourist pass their doors as do many in the area but, yet do they have to be treated as a second class citizen? Sorry Purple Olive your not going to treat this tourist that grew up in the area like a customer at a Walmart some one will always come threw the door. read more

This place really knows what they are doing for vacationing families in these COVID times. We ordered two family style dinners. The Hoisin sesame tofu stir fry was great for 2. The Seafood Paella for 2 had lots of clams, shrimp and fish and was enough to feed 3 generously. We also had the Summer Berry Salad for 4 and it was fresh and delicious! We'll have to return later to try out eating here because the food was great and they really understand their customers! read more

Great restaurant within walking distance of the beach. Wonderful vegetarian options (the glazed sesame tofu was worth the visit!). Really good ambiance and a nice selection of wine and drinks menu. Key Lime Pie was on the menu when we visited and was exceptional! The purple Olive has joined my must visit when we visit St Augustine Beach area! read more

We went here on our first night of our vacation in St. Augustine, and we were so glad we did. Our appetizer, soups and both of our entrees were all delicious- we only wished we had room for dessert. The Gorgonzola and Beef Tip Flatbread appetizer was probably my favorite part, though the lobster bisque was a close second. I had the Espresso Rubbed Gorgonzola Crusted Pork Loin, which was tasty, though I actually liked my fiancés stuffed chicken more. The wine and beer selection was nice as well. The environment was wonderful for a dinner date, with cute candles and decor. Our waiter for very nice, as was the woman I presume to be the owner who was very friendly. I will definitely return here on my next trip to St. Augustine. read more

We've had dinner her twice in the past 12 months. Once it was very good; last night was just ok. The atmosphere and service is mature and intimate, making it a nice place to take date. The broad menu includes gluten free and vegan options, and many appetizers and side dishes. Here is what I would not order: hummus and eggplant dip (both too garlicky and sour), red curry (flavorless). What was good: blackened shrimp, mashed potatoes, sesame soy tofu, and the gluten free chocolate pie. read more

My meal at Purple Olive just didn't live up to expectations. In reading the reviews, I was looking forward to a "wow" (or almost-wow) experience. First of all, it's in a strip mall -- which is fine, but the food quality was disappointing. I ordered blackened mahi with several sides, and the food was bland overall, and actually needed salt. My friend liked his dinner though, so perhaps I just didn't order a dish that Purple Olive excels at. I wouldn't return -- too many other places in St. Augustine to try. read more

Just received 4 hot, DELICIOUS meals delivered to us while waiting for power to be restored after Irma. Your generosity is SO appreciated! The best tacos, black beans and rice ever. Even the plasticware was quality, and the sentiment handwritten on the food container was so thoughtful. We love Purple Olive! read more

Purple Olive Restaurant & Catering - Hot meal after Hurricane Irma - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Try the family meals and you will not regret it. This was one of my favorites before Covid, but these meals are a whole new level of awesome. The family summer berry salad was so good. We did the vegetarian platter once and it was great and last time we got the seafood paella and it was out of this world! read more